WMU 4L, New York
Unit info
- Game species
- Deer, Turkey, Bear
- Group
- Zone 4
- Area
- 219 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 6
Draw odds for Black Beararen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 523
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for Black Bear, White-tailed Deer so far. Deer, Turkey, Bear also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedWMU 4L covers the lower Hudson Valley including Orange and Rockland counties — a suburban and exurban landscape with among the highest whitetail deer densities in the state, where hunters navigate a patchwork of private land, state parks, and limited WMAs. Public access is anchored by Sterling Forest State Park, Schunnemunk State Park, and portions of Harriman State Park (west of the Thruway), all of which permit deer and turkey hunting with unit-specific permits or lottery systems. Black bear are present and huntable here, with the area falling within the Southern Zone, making this a demanding but rewarding unit for bowhunters willing to work the terrain.
Rugged ridgelines, hardwood forest, and wetland drainages typical of the lower Hudson Highlands; Schunnemunk Mountain (1,664 ft, highest point in Orange County) defines the western edge. The unit grades from steep forested slopes in the west into flatter suburban and agricultural valleys near the Hudson River corridor. High deer density results from heavy forest fragmentation and suburban food sources.
High — dense human population, limited public land relative to hunter demand, and very high deer numbers draw significant archery pressure. Sterling Forest and Harriman lotteries filter pressure on state park lands, but accessible public trailheads see heavy foot traffic.
WMU 4L is in the Southern Zone and not listed among the no-quota WMUs (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, 9G), meaning antlerless Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are issued under a quota system — apply by October 1. High deer density in this suburban WMU has historically supported liberal DMP issuance; hunters may apply for up to 2 quota-WMU DMPs plus 2 unlimited-WMU DMPs under 2026 rules. The bow/muzzleloader tag now functions as an antlerless tag under 2026 regulation changes.
DEER: Southern Zone seasons — Archery: Oct 1–Nov 14, Nov 15–Dec 7 (firearms concurrent), Dec 8–16 (late bow/muzzleloader), Dec 26–Jan 1 (late bow). Regular Firearms: Nov 15–Dec 7. Muzzleloader: Dec 8–16. Crossbow permitted Nov 1–Nov 14 (WMU 4L has no crossbow restriction unlike 4J/8C). No firearm restriction (not a Long Island shotgun-only unit). BEAR: Southern Zone — Early archery bear season opens Oct 1; regular firearms bear season runs concurrent with regular deer season (Nov 15–Dec 7). Bear present in Hudson Highlands and Orange County ridgelines. TURKEY: Spring season May 1–May 31 (half-hour before sunrise to noon); Fall season approximately Oct 17–30 in Southern Zone. OTC turkey permits, no draw required.
Exceptional suburban whitetail hunting with trophy potential due to reduced hunting access and mature buck age structure. Sterling Forest and Schunnemunk offer genuine wilderness feel within an hour of NYC. Black bear are an underutilized bonus species. Spring turkey hunting on public ridgelines can be outstanding. The unit rewards hunters who invest in scouting private permission on edge habitat — agricultural fields, orchards, and suburban greenbelts.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about WMU 4L— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about WMU 4L.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: NYSDEC official Wildlife Management Units. Community info last updated 23d ago.